Andy Ruiz Jr. undoubtedly shocked the boxing world when he knocked out former undefeated champion Anthony Joshua at the MSG Arena last month. As it turns out, the pudgy pugilist has been fighting 12-year-old amateurs when he was seven-years-old because he was so plump.

Appearing at the Joe Rogan Podcast, the unified heavyweight world champ said that he started boxing at a very young age. He revealed that in his first amateur fight, he was squared off with a 12-year-old kid because he "always was a big chubby kid."

Ruiz continued that during that time, no 7-year-old kid was as big as he was so he "had to fight bigger guys, older guys." WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion added that he had to train for a year when he was six for his amateur debut.

In his first fight, the heavyweight pugilist allegedly won but judges gave it to the older fighter. He jokingly said that "hey gave it to the other guy, a 12-year-old fighting a seven-year-old." Adding that he felt that he "got robbed."

Impressively Ruiz went on to win 100 amateur fights, with only five losses. Hilariously, his "The Destroyer" monicker wasn't given to him because of his punching prowess, instead, because he always broke his toys. He remembers that as a kid, he was so clumsy that his things would end up "destroyed." He added that his parents would buy him a toy, and the next day, he "would break it.

Andy Ruiz Jr.
YouTube Screenshot of Andy Ruiz Jr. on Jimmel Kimmel Live on Jun 5, 2019. YouTube screenshot

The Mexican-American boxer has since built up an impressive professional career. His only loss came from New Zealand's Joseph Parker on a majority decision. Ruiz currently has 33 wins, 21 by KO, last month he stunned the boxing world when he knocked highly touted champion Anthony Joshua four times.

His continued attack earned him a 7th round TKO victory against the British professional boxer. Despite his chubby built, boxing analysts have credited Ruiz for his speed and accuracy. Promoter Bob Arum also mentioned the same sentiments; he said that "Yeah, he's a fat slob, but his hands are so fast."

Boxing